Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium Heidelberg

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Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium Heidelberg
Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium.jpg
Main building of the Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium on Neckarstaden
type of school high school
founding 1546
address

Neckarstaden 2
69117 Heidelberg

place Heidelberg
country Baden-Württemberg
Country Germany
Coordinates 49 ° 24 '41 "  N , 8 ° 41' 38"  E Coordinates: 49 ° 24 '41 "  N , 8 ° 41' 38"  E
carrier City of Heidelberg
student 746 (as of 2014)
Teachers 83 (as of 2015)
management Michael Alperowitz
Website www.kfg-heidelberg.de

The Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium Heidelberg ( KFG ) is a humanistic high school . It is the oldest grammar school in Heidelberg and bears the name of Elector Friedrich II of the Palatinate . Today's main building was built according to the plans of the architect Josef Durm , who, in addition to other important buildings in Heidelberg, was also the architect of the Heidelberg University Library .

history

Founding time (1546–1618)

Elector Friedrich II of the Palatinate; Oil painting by Hans Besser

160 years after the university was founded, a low level of education was found among students who had not yet had any schooling. Under Elector Friedrich II of the Palatinate , it was decided to install a kind of “pre-university”.

Fierce debates followed about the rights of the university, which is why the newly created “pre-university” was converted into an electoral pedagogy . It served as preparation for the study of the septem artes liberales , which was part of the so-called artist faculty, which therefore also received certain rights in the administration of the pedagogy.

Thirty Years War (1618-1622)

As a Protestant-Calvinist stronghold and residence city of Friedrich V of the Palatinate, Heidelberg was not spared the Thirty Years' War . In 1622 the Catholic general Johann T'Serclaes von Tilly conquered the city, whereupon the reformed population had to convert to Catholicism, following the principle of international law at the time, cuius regio, eius religio . The existing institutions were also redesigned in line with Catholic teaching. The more secular pedagogy was converted into a Jesuit college in 1623 . The high school educational offer was later supplemented by the newly founded reformed high school, which appeared from the 1650s, but was considered outdated and backward from the 18th century.

Jesuit College and Lazarist Period (1623–1808)

Entrance to the former Jesuit grammar school in Schulgasse
Jesuit Church (Heidelberg) , partial view with gardens and building complex of the former Jesuit college

After restructuring into a Jesuit college, the teaching institute changed considerably. The teachers were now friars of the Jesuits and the doctrine of the order significantly influenced the teaching. The number of students at the college grew rapidly so that two new magistrates had to be hired just one year after it was founded. In the course of the reopening of the university, Elector Maximilian I transferred the philosophical and theological faculty to the Jesuit order in 1629, which was able to further expand its political influence.

During the Palatinate War of Succession , teaching at the Jesuit College was stopped, the Jesuits had to leave the city because they were not recognized in absolutist France under Ludwig. After the end of the War of Succession, the friars were able to return in 1698 and start teaching again. Since 1759 only graduates of the schools in Heidelberg, Mannheim, Neustadt an der Haardt and Kreuznach have been admitted to university studies in the Electoral Palatinate.

Until 1773 the order remained the sponsor of the grammar school. Then the Jesuits were disbanded at the urging of the absolutist rulers. This led to a lack of teaching staff for the college. Only a few former friars were able to continue working as Masters. The Lazarists were found to replace them . They were similar to the Jesuits in teaching and organization and took over teaching. The Lazarists reformed the school system sustainably: For example, lessons were no longer held in Latin only, but also in German.

In the course of the Reichsdeputationshauptschluss of 1803, after the territorial reorganization, the Kurzpfalz on the right bank of the Rhine was overwritten by Heidelberg to Baden . Baden reform plans with a secularized school system led to a renewal of the school system. In 1808 the High Catholic School and the Reformed Gymnasium were merged to form a new humanist school without any denomination.

Grand Duchy of Baden (1808–1837)

The grammar school in Heidelberg, which emerged from the two schools, experienced an ambivalent initial phase. On the one hand, the number of students and teachers doubled between 1809 and 1820. At the same time, the school encountered considerable resistance, especially at the beginning, from pupils and parents who thought the lessons were too theoretical, from the church, which could not come to terms with a secularized school, and from the university, which feared that the school would limit its areas of competence could decrease. The Grand Duchy considered closing the school entirely, especially in the early years, as it was too unprofitable. The school reforms of 1837 and 1860 managed to appease students, parents, the church and the university to some extent, and due to the sharp rise in student numbers, the government again refrained from its intention to close.

Lyceum (1837-1913)

The new main building around 1900

The student body continued to grow (1837: 140 students) through the appointment to the Lyceum and the officially associated right to attend university directly and without preliminary courses after obtaining the higher education entrance qualification at the Heidelberg Gymnasium. The building on Seminarstrasse was no longer sufficient and had to be expanded.

With the appointment of Gustav Uhlig as director, a new era began at the Heidelberg high school. The school, which had previously attracted less attention due to its particularly good teaching, acquired the reputation of being “the most difficult grammar school in Germany” under his leadership. Good students from all over the region followed the high school's elite reputation. When 507 students attended this school in 1886, even the extension was no longer sufficient. In 1888 the property on Neckarstaden was finally bought, on which today's main school building was built. In 1894 the new school building was inaugurated. The first girl attended school in 1903. In 1913 there were already 33 students.

1914 to 1933

The school was directly affected by the effects of the First World War : More and more teachers were sent to the front, but this loss was compensated for by professors and students who had returned from retirement.

The Weimar Republic , established in 1919, met with little approval from the students and teachers. The school had kept its conservative orientation. This attitude was also reinforced by the savings laws in the wake of the economic crisis , which caused teachers to retire early.

National Socialism (1930–1945)

Until the National Socialists " seize power " in 1933, the school administration took disciplinary action against students who represented right-wing extremist ideas. This changed after 1933. However, the headmaster at the time, Hermann Ostern , was a staunch advocate of humanism and particularly praised the Hellenistic-Roman culture and was therefore often in a position opposed to the National Socialists who wanted to elevate Germanic culture to the leading culture. Easter was also publicly critical of racial studies and urged his students to think freely and to avoid National Socialist phrases. After being denounced by a colleague, he was dishonorably released on August 24, 1939 . During the Easter term of office, however, the cleaning of the Heidelberg high school, which had been called Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium since September 4, 1937 , took place. The last “fully Jewish” had to leave the KFG after the “ Reichskristallnacht ” on November 10, 1938.

Georg Mildenberger, a NSDAP member and SS-Sturmbannführer , followed as director , who wore his uniform as often as possible in his new office. He previously worked at the Ministry of Culture and Education in Karlsruhe . Nevertheless, Mildenberger opposes the closure of humanistic grammar schools, which the rulers wanted, which saw them as a nucleus of Nazi opponents. Until 1942 the last " half-Jews " were banished from the KFG under him . In spite of the adverse circumstances, the lessons could be continued until March 1945.

After 1945

From December 1945 school operations at the KFG could be resumed. under the direction of Joseph Schneble. As a result of the considerable immigration of refugees during the Second World War and especially after the war, the KFG counted nine hundred students in 1952.

The enormous space problems were resolved by handing over the Villa Czerny and another building in Luisenstrasse.

Student demonstrations during the student protests in 1968 sparked off the issue of freedom of expression. As a result of these protests, three head boys and one student were expelled.

The number of students has remained relatively constant at around 750 in recent years.

Buildings in use today

main building

In Neckarstaden 2., later known as the main building, which was inaugurated in 1894, there are classrooms, computer rooms, technical rooms, the secretariat, the teachers' room and the management.

Sophienhaus

Stumbling block for Bruno Oppenheimer in front of his parents' house in Heidelberg Sofienstraße 1. He was the victim of the T4 campaign

The upper-class estate, Sophienstrasse 1, was the former villa Czerny of the surgeon Vincenz Czerny . The villa later became the residence of the Oppenheimer family, whose son Bruno fell victim to the T4 campaign. A memorial stone was dedicated to Bruno Oppenheimer in front of his former home, his parents' house .

In the Sophienhaus, biology, chemistry, natural science, technology and geography-economics-community studies are taught in specialist rooms.

Outbuildings

Outbuilding of the KFG; View of the foothills of the Gaisberg over the Weststadt

The outbuilding in Luisenstrasse in the Bergheim district with classrooms was built and renovated in the classicism style at the end of the 19th century .

gym

The gym from the last third of the 20th century is located in the inner courtyard of the main building.

Structural condition

Rear of the main building in 2011 after the renovation of the south facade

The first structural measures were taken as early as 1912 to expand the building from 1894. The attic was expanded. The south side was renovated in the 1960s. Since the late 1950s, two or three grades have been housed in the former utility building of the Altklinikum Bergheim : this Luisenhaus was renovated around 2000. In addition, the renovated Sophienhaus was added in early 1970 as a utility building for natural sciences. The KFG was refurbished by 2016 through a general refurbishment; only the renovation of individual rooms in the main building was outstanding.

Offers and projects

  • At the grammar school, students are taught Latin and English from the fifth grade onwards . From grade 8 onwards you can choose between the ancient language profile with ancient Greek , the modern language profile with French or the scientific profile .
  • Since the 1985/86 school year there has been a partnership with the Lycée La Bruyère in Versailles , with which the French class 10 organizes a student exchange every year. In 1993, the so-called Uganda project was launched, in which donations from students are regularly collected on a voluntary basis and passed on to sponsored children in Uganda. The donations will then be used to finance training that will enable self-sufficiency and financial independence. There is also a school partnership with the Blackwater Community School in Lismore and a student exchange with the Chinese city of Danyang (Zhenjiang) and the Memorial High School in Millville (New Jersey) USA.
  • Another special feature of the Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium is the highly gifted train , which has existed since the 2007/08 school year. Gifted pupils should be given special support and taught according to a common structural model. Increasing the learning pace ( acceleration ) creates free space for expanding or deepening the range of lessons (enrichment). The Heidelberg model is now also used by many other schools.

deals

The chamber choir of the Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium, reigning world champion in the category mixed youth choirs , in 2011
Musical working groups
Musical students have the opportunity to play in the orchestra and choir , both of which are graded according to grade levels, as well as in the big band , and regularly take part in concerts in central locations in Heidelberg's old town. In recent years these have been venues, the Peterskirche for the Christmas concert and the town hall for the spring concert . In addition, the KFG maintains a successful chamber choir , which has since won many music prizes , including the German Choir Competition in 1994 and the International Choir Competition Riva del Garda in 2010, as well as the first youth choir world championship in Graz in 2011.
History AG
As a school steeped in tradition and steeped in history, the KFG sees itself as responsible not to let the history of the school, but also of the city, be forgotten. In the “Historicum” (history room in the Elector's Room), schoolchildren have the opportunity to learn the interesting and complex way of dealing with the subject of history. Several projects have already emerged, such as B. a very popular guided tour for primary school classes through the old town of Heidelberg, in which the history of the city is told in a fun and child-friendly way.
The group also offers a short play every year on the open day in which the history of the school is retold through creative drama.
There is also a collaboration with the Stolpersteine Heidelberg initiative , for example the history group was involved in the organization of a memorial march in memory of the victims of the Holocaust in Heidelberg.
Further projects are planned for the future that combine historical interest and knowledge with real-life and practical fields of activity.
theatre
The theater group stages pieces from the field of improvisational theater or the classical repertoire such as Lewis Carrol's “ Alice in Wonderland ” or Friedrich Dürrenmatt's “ The Visit of the Old Lady ”.
Homework assistance
Every Wednesday, junior and middle school students have the opportunity to get help with their homework from high school students. This concept of helping students to help themselves for students is very popular with the KFG student body.
School newspaper Strichpunkt
In September 2015 the first edition of "Machtwort" appeared at the KFG after the previous school newspaper "Machtwort" was closed. It is a regularly published newspaper by students for students that focuses on life in and around the KFG.
Computer science
In the Informatik-AG, students learn how to use computers at an advanced level and are constantly confronted with new projects in which they can apply their knowledge.
Breakdance
The Breakdance AG has existed for grades 7 to 12 since the 2010s . The Fire and Soul formation won the silver medal at the German Dance Festival.
rowing
A rowing AG has been offered for many years . The equipment of the HRK is used.
basketball
There has been a basketball club since the 2011/12 school year. The aim of the working group is the successful participation in the city school championships.

Furthermore, a math meeting , a model railway construction company , an aquarium and terrarium company and working groups for fencing, football and hockey are offered.

There has been a gifted class since the 2007/08 school year .

Personalities

Selection of well-known teachers

Selection of well-known students

literature

  • Johann Heinrich Andreae : Spicilegium Quintum post conatum historico-litterarium de Gymnasio Heidelbergensi . o. O. 1767 ( Google Books ).
  • Volker Gewahl, Heiner Lutzmann, Gerhard Merkel, Frank Moraw, Herbert Neumüllers, Lothar Schuckert, Hermann Wiegand: Pedagogy - Lyceum - Gymnasium. 450 years of the Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium in Heidelberg . Brigitte Guderjahn Verlag, Heidelberg 1996, ISBN 3-924973-49-0 .
  • Günter Heinemann: On the history of the Elector Friedrich Gymnasium . Association of Friends of the Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium, Heidelberg 1978, DNB 931981689

Web links

Commons : Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium Heidelberg  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. See Hermann Wiegand: The two-peaked Musenberg. Studies on humanism in the Electoral Palatinate . (Rhein-Neckar-Kreis. Historical writings 2). Regional culture, Ubstadt-Weiher 2000, p. 170.
  2. zeiler.me
  3. State Office for the Preservation of Monuments (ed.): Monument topography of the Federal Republic of Germany, cultural monuments in Baden-Württemberg, city district of Heidelberg. Thorbecke-Verlag 2013, ISBN 978-3-7995-0426-3 .
  4. General information on the highly gifted train on the school's homepage Archived copy ( memento of the original from September 25, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.kfg-heidelberg.de
  5. Report on the memorial march on the homepage of the Geschichts-AG http://www.geschichts-ag-kfg-heidelberg.de/home/aktuelles
  6. Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin: Till Krause, Michael Najjar - All Inclusive , January 31, 2014, accessed on October 4, 2016. Michael Najjar belongs to the group of "Pioneer Astronauts" from Richard Branson's company Virgin Galactic